9 Job Apps For Teens That Pay Well

Let’s be real here, being broke as a teen absolutely sucks :/ While your friends are out buying the latest sneakers or grabbing coffee, you’re counting change from your piggy bank.
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to stay broke forever, and you definitely don’t need to wait until you’re 18 to start making decent money.
I’ve been in the personal finance game for over a decade, and I can tell you that the opportunities available to teens today are incredible. When I was your age, our options were limited to flipping burgers or bagging groceries. Now? Your smartphone can literally become your personal ATM.
After analyzing hundreds of best paying teen job apps and testing dozens myself (yes, I still use some of these!), I’ve narrowed down the 9 absolute best job apps for teens that actually pay well. No fluff, no false promises, just real apps for teens to make money that put real cash in your pocket.
How Do Job Apps Pay Teenagers?
Ever wonder how these apps actually work financially? It’s pretty straightforward once you understand the business model.
Most money making apps for teens operate on what I call the “completion-verification-payment” cycle. You complete assigned tasks, they verify your work meets their standards, and boom, you get paid. It’s like having a boss who never breathes down your neck but still pays you on time.
The payment methods typically fall into two categories:
Direct Cash Payments: These go straight to your bank account or digital wallets like PayPal. This is my personal favorite because cash is king, and you can use it however you want.
Points-Based Systems: You earn points that convert to cash or gift cards. While some people find this annoying, I actually think it’s genius for budgeting. You’re less likely to blow your earnings on impulse purchases when your money exists in points form.
Here’s a pro tip from my finance background: always track your earnings across all apps. Create a simple spreadsheet or use a notes app. Trust me, you’ll be shocked how quickly those small amounts add up.
What Kind Of Job Apps Do Teenagers Need?
Not all apps for teens to make money are created equal, especially for teens. You need teen-friendly job apps that work around your school schedule, don’t require special skills, and actually pay decent money for the time invested.
The ideal money making app for teenagers should have these characteristics:
- Time flexibility: You can work during lunch breaks, after school, or on weekends
- Low barrier to entry: No extensive training or prior experience needed
- Quick task completion: Most tasks take 5-30 minutes max
- Reliable payment system: You actually get paid what they promise
- Age-appropriate: No sketchy stuff that could get you in trouble
I always tell teens to avoid apps that require upfront payments or promise “get rich quick” schemes. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stick with established platforms that have solid reputations.
How To Make Money On Your Phone As A Teenager
Your phone isn’t just for TikTok and texting; it’s a legitimate money-making machine if you know how to use it right. I’ve seen teens pull in $300-800 monthly just from their smartphones. Not bad for something that fits in your pocket!
There are two main strategies I recommend for apps that pay teens:
Job Apps
This is the easier route for beginners. You download the best paying apps for teens, complete simple tasks, and get paid. The tasks usually include:
- Taking surveys about products or services
- Watching short video clips or advertisements
- Testing new websites and mobile apps
- Reading promotional emails
- Playing mobile games (yes, seriously!)
The beauty of teen job apps is their simplicity. You don’t need any special talents, just basic reading skills and the ability to follow instructions. IMO, this is the perfect starting point for any teen wanting to make money.
Want to know something cool? Some of these apps that pay teens actually reward you for activities you’d do anyway. Ever wondered why companies pay teens to test their apps? Simple, your demographic represents their target market, and your feedback helps them improve their products.
Selling Services
This is the advanced strategy that can seriously boost your income. Instead of completing tasks for others, you offer your own services. This requires learning a valuable skill first, but the payoff is much higher.
Popular teen-friendly services include:
- Social media management: Help small businesses manage their Instagram or TikTok
- Graphic design: Create logos, flyers, or social media posts
- Content writing: Write blog posts, product descriptions, or social media captions
- Voice-over work: Record narrations for videos or audiobooks
- Photo editing: Touch up photos for individuals or small businesses
The key is starting with one skill, getting really good at it, then expanding. Don’t try to be a jack-of-all-trades from day one; you’ll just frustrate yourself.
9 Job Apps For Teens That Pay Well
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. These are the best apps for teens to make money that I actually recommend to teens, ranked by earning potential and reliability:
1. Mistplay App

Age Requirement: 13+ Average Monthly Earnings: $15-40
Who said making money couldn’t be fun? Mistplay literally pays you to play mobile games. I know it sounds like a scam, but it’s completely legit; they make money from game developers who pay for user acquisition.
Here’s how it works: You download games through Mistplay, play them, and earn “units” based on your playtime and in-game progress. These units convert to gift cards for Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, and other popular retailers.
The Reality Check: You won’t get rich playing games, but it’s perfect pocket money for something you’d probably do anyway. I’ve tested this myself, and consistent players can earn $20-30 monthly without breaking a sweat.
Pro Tips:
- Focus on games with bonus multipliers
- Check for limited-time events that offer extra units
- Mix gameplay between different genres to maximize earnings
2. Survey Junkie

Age Requirement: 13+ Average Monthly Earnings: $30-75
Survey Junkie is the gold standard for paid surveys. Unlike those sketchy survey sites that waste your time, Survey Junkie actually delivers consistent payments.
Each survey pays between $0.50-$3.50 and takes 5-20 minutes to complete. The topics range from shopping habits to TV show preferences, nothing too personal or invasive. You need to hit $10 to cash out, which is totally reasonable.
The Financial Reality: Survey work isn’t glamorous, but it’s a reliable income. Think of it as getting paid for your opinions. Complete 3-5 surveys daily, and you’re looking at $30-75 monthly.
My Strategy:
- Complete your profile completely for better survey matches
- Be honest in your answers (they have quality checks)
- Take surveys during dead time, waiting for class, lunch breaks, etc.
3. Poshmark App
Age Requirement: 16+ Average Monthly Earnings: $50-300+
Poshmark is where fashion meets finance. If you have an eye for style and enjoy thrifting, this app can be a goldmine. You buy clothes from thrift stores, consignment shops, or sell your own items, then resell them at higher prices.
The app handles payment processing and shipping labels; you just need to photograph items, write descriptions, and package orders. Poshmark takes a $2.95 commission on sales under $15 and 20% on higher-priced items.
The Upside: Unlimited earning potential. I know teens pulling in $200-500 monthly from Poshmark.
The Downside: You need startup capital and fashion knowledge. It’s more like running a small business than a simple job app.
Success Tips:
- Start with your own closet cleanout
- Research popular brands and styles
- Take high-quality photos with good lighting
- Price competitively, but don’t undervalue your items
4. Swagbucks App
Age Requirement: 13+ Average Monthly Earnings: $25-60
Swagbucks is the Swiss Army knife of money-making apps. You can earn “Swag Bucks” through multiple activities:
- Watching video clips
- Taking surveys
- Shopping through their portal
- Playing games
- Searching the web
The variety keeps things interesting, and the earning potential is solid for the time invested. You can redeem points for PayPal cash or gift cards to major retailers.
Real Talk: Swagbucks isn’t going to replace a part-time job, but it’s perfect for generating consistent pocket money. The key is using multiple earning methods instead of focusing on just one.
Did you know Swagbucks has paid out over $650 million to its users? That’s some serious credibility in the teen money-making space 🙂
5. Humanatic
Age Requirement: 17+ Average Monthly Earnings: $40-120
Here’s something different: Humanatic pays you to review customer service calls. Remember that “this call may be recorded for quality assurance” message? Well, someone needs to actually review those recordings, and that someone could be you.
You listen to short call snippets (usually 1-10 minutes) and categorize them based on specific criteria. It sounds boring, but the pay is decent, around $4-12 per hour depending on the call category and your accuracy rating.
The Learning Curve: You’ll need to pass some training modules first, but once you get the hang of it, the work becomes pretty routine.
Important Note: You need a PayPal account for payments, so coordinate with your parents if you’re under 18.
6. TeenJobFind

Age Requirement: Under 18 Average Monthly Earnings: $100-400+
TeenJobFind isn’t technically a task-based app; it’s more like Indeed for teenagers. The platform connects teens with local individuals and businesses needing help with various tasks.
Job types include:
- Pet sitting and dog walking
- Lawn care and gardening
- House cleaning and organization
- Babysitting (with proper training)
- Event assistance
- Basic computer help for seniors
The Parent Factor: You’ll need parental consent for most opportunities, and honestly, that’s a good thing. It adds a safety layer that other platforms lack.
Earning Potential: Real jobs mean real pay. Many listings offer $10-15 per hour, which beats most app-based work.
7. Snagajob
Age Requirement: Varies by job Average Monthly Earnings: $200-800+
Snagajob is another job-finding platform, but it focuses on part-time and entry-level positions with actual companies. Think retail, food service, and seasonal work.
While these aren’t “work from your phone” opportunities, the app makes finding legitimate teen employment much easier. You can filter by location, schedule flexibility, and age requirements.
Why I Include This: Sometimes, the best money-making strategy is getting a traditional part-time job. The income stability beats any gig app, and you’ll gain valuable work experience.
The app features instant apply functionality and connects you directly with hiring managers. FYI, many users land interviews within 24 hours of applying.
8. Skratch Gig
Age Requirement: 16+ Average Monthly Earnings: $150-500+
Skratch Gig bridges the gap between simple task apps and full freelancing. You can offer both digital services (graphic design, writing) and local services (pet care, yard work).
The platform targets teens specifically, so the interface is user-friendly, and the safety features are solid. You can earn $8-15 per hour depending on your skills and the services you offer.
My Take: This is perfect for teens with specific talents who want more earning potential than basic survey apps provide.
The app also includes features like parent verification and background checks for certain services, making it one of the safer freelancing platforms for teenagers.
9. Fiverr
Age Requirement: 13+ Average Monthly Earnings: $100-2,000+
Fiverr is the big leagues of freelancing platforms. While it’s not specifically for teens, it’s incredibly powerful for motivated young people with marketable skills.
You create “gigs” offering specific services starting at $5, but experienced sellers regularly charge $25-100+ per project. Popular teen categories include:
- Logo design and graphic work
- Social media content creation
- Voice-over services
- Writing and proofreading
- Video editing
- Programming and web development
The Reality: Fiverr requires real skills and professional presentation. You’re competing with adults worldwide, so your work needs to be legitimately good.
The Opportunity: Successful teen sellers can earn more than adults with traditional jobs. I’ve seen 16-year-olds pulling in $1,500+ monthly on Fiverr.
Getting Started Tips:
- Start with services you’re genuinely skilled at
- Study successful gigs in your category
- Offer competitive pricing initially to build reviews
- Always deliver more than promised
Final Thoughts
Look, I’ll be honest with you: most job apps won’t allow you to generate a reasonable amount of money. Survey apps like Swagbucks are fine for pocket money, but they won’t pay for college. However, skill-based platforms like Fiverr and Skratch Gig can actually make you decent money.
I know teens who started making $50 a month on surveys and now earn $800+ monthly by learning real skills.
Here’s my advice: start with simple apps to get used to making money online, but learn a valuable skill on the side, like writing or design. Track your earnings and set savings goals. Most importantly, don’t let school suffer; your education matters most.
These apps teach you about work and money management, which is pretty valuable. Pick one app today and get started. Your future self will definitely thank you.